Liverpool and Manchester United are competing for a centre-back making waves – and he could cost a pretty penny
(Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Liverpool are looking like beating Manchester United to a centre-back dubbed 'the new Kalidou Koulibaly'.
Both northwest rivals are looking at improving their backlines following defensive frailties this season. Liverpool have been leaning heavily on Virgil van Dijk, while Manchester United have relied almost entirely on Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in defence, with very little cover beyond that.
One target has emerged for both, however, with the Reds in pole position over the Red Devils in the race for a signature.
According to Italian journalist Ciro Venerato of Rai, Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae is on the radar for Premier League clubs – and Liverpool are ready to pay over £60 million for his services.
Kim was signed from Fenerbahce for a modest sum last summer as the replacement for Chelsea-bound Kalidou Koulibaly. The South Korean international has shone in Serie A, however, leading Napoli to an unlikely title charge and winning plaudits for his style.
Kim Min-Jae has been a revelation in Serie A (Image credit: Getty Images)
Napoli have a reputation for driving a hard bargain as a selling club, however. With Victor Osimhen said to be interesting United and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia enjoying a break-out season, it would take a mammoth figure to tempt Kim away from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.
